My new look

I've had the frog template for quite a while now. It was cute and made me think of my boys but I began to yearn for something more feminine and creative. I may continue to play around with the background because it's fun to try new designs but I like this one for now. Just don't be surprised to come back tomorrow and find something different. Toodles.

Another bug hunt

Andrew spotted these two grasshoppers in our front yard, wondering why they were on top of each other (ahem). ANYWAY.....he managed to break them apart and capture them for a few minutes. I teach him to be gentle with God's creation but I also want to encourage his curiosity (that is a huge part of being a boy, right?) by letting him touch and feel what God has made.





I think Abigail was the most excited of all, though. I mean, look at her expression while gazing upon the grasshoppers. This makes me smile!

$20.22 for only $1.60!

Wow, I just got home from Wal-Mart. I remember the days when I went to Wal-Mart for everything. Now that I've become a fan of Walgreens, Publix, and CVS (and all the great savings I make at these establishments), I don't frequent Wal-Mart as much as I used to. However, today was a great shopping trip to Wally World. Here's why.....remember the post I wrote about regarding the CHECK IT OUT application for coupons on Facebook? Well, I used them today and got $20.22 worth of groceries for only $1.60!!!!!!


The coupons I used were for items I would have purchased anyway. Well, I don't normally buy Bagel Bites for my kids but, since they were FREE, why not? They'll make for a great snack.

What was even more fantastic about this trip was that I got paid to buy a few of these items.

Pantene shampoo cost $5.27 minus coupon $6.00 off. I made $.73!

Cheez It cost $2.50 minus coupon $3.50 off. I made a whole dollar!

California Pizza Kitchen pizza costs $5.25 minus coupon $6.00 off. I made $.75!

By the way, the Chapstick was free with the coupon!

The only item I purchased at full price was a bag of pepperoni (not pictured) which retailed at $2.98. I only paid under a dollar for it because all the overage was applied to the final cost.


Anyway, this is all probably too confusing to understand but it was definitely exciting for me! I mean, all this for only $1.60?!?!?!? You MUST add this application to your Facebook account.

Now, I must exit Blogger to print more deals on FB.

Office Depot coupon

Here's a coupon for 10% off your Office Depot stash, no minimum purchase required (in-store only). They currently have some great $.01 deals on various schools supplies, while supplies last.

Plethera of savings

Ok, here's another wonderful site to click on to print an abundance of coupons. I never leave home without them!

Free McDonald's sandwich

Another free offer from Mickey D's. Click here to print a coupon for a free chicken sandwich or chicken biscuit from McDonald's. Once you're at the site, click on "Get A Free Offer" at the top right.


Yes, this offer was brought to you with Stuart and Chad specifically in mind. (*snort snort*)

3:00 a.m. with Luke

Wanna know what Luke, my two year old, was doing at 3:00 a.m. the other night?

Potty training is going really well. So well that he gets up each night like clock-work to go to the potty. I think I've lost more sleep now during this stage rather than when he was a baby!

He's reading such fine material, too!

Facebook coupon application

If you enjoy clipping coupons AND you have a Facebook account, click here to add the CHECK IT OUT application where you can print super duper savings in coupons! Free Orbit gum, Free Chapstick, $6 off a California Pizza Kitchen pizza, $6 off Pantene Shampoo...and the savings go on.

HT: Wendy at More Than Enough

Praying with your children

Trevin Wax has written a post about bedtime prayers with your children. I found it highly encouraging. It's so easy for me to rush the bedtime prayer routine instead of taking in every word spoken to the Almighty from the mouths of my children. I'm going to print out Trevin's post and stick it on the bathroom mirror so I'll be reminded during teeth brushing time to "slow down".

HT: Justin Taylor

Coupon time

I can think of many people in my life that would appreciate these coupons from Arby's, but none more so than my brother, Stuart. He is self-employed and scrapping the bucket. His business is doing extremely well but being self-employed always hits the wallet hard. So, he loves it when I pass along coupons for poor people. Stuart, these should get you several cheap meals and you might be able to print them mulitple times considering that they are all good til the end of this month.

Gymnastics Unlimited

Luke just finished his summer session of gymnastics and he absolutely loved it. Here are just a few pictures of his very last day in the gym with Coach James.

"Bye, Mom"

I didn't mean to leave Luke out of the "first day of school" report. Poor middle child. I'm the middle child so I have a connection with Luke. There really isn't anything "poor" about being the middle child. It's just fun to joke about. That sentence was written just to ease your mind, Mom.

So, not to be left out, Luke also had a great first day of school. He only goes three mornings a week and he wishes he could go more! On the very first day, I walked into the classroom with him only to see him make a bee-line for the table with play dough, never looking back. When I said "bye" to him and asked for kisses, he turned and just signed "I love you". He didn't want to get up from his seat!

*SIGH*

My yearly PLANNER

I love lists. I love calendars. I love organization, although it overwhelms me at times and I feel as if my house will never catch up to where I want it to be. There are unending laundry piles (dirty and clean), a steady flow of toys, and limitless dirty dishes always waiting in the sink. Who has time to dust, mop, and purge? When I'm not taking care of the "minimal maintenance", I choose to spend that time playing or talking with my children. However, the phone still rings, duty always calls, and responsibilities still abound. That's why I love my planner (did I say love? Yes, love!).

My friend, Leslie T., designs and prints them in her home and sells them every August and December. Scripture is printed all throughout the calendar. I love the reminders from God's Word....He knows I need them. In the past, I usually ask for a custom made cover with a spot/frame to hold a picture of my children...but this year I opted to choose from what she had already designed.


I prefer the August to August setup because I like to plan based on the school year. However, some people, like my mom and sister, stick to the December to December view. Leslie makes both week to week views or month to month views. I like to see the entire month in front of me.


Then, inside, she also adds a four page section for addresses as well as about ten pages of blank paper for list making and note taking. I fill these up fast!


Finally, at the back of the planner, she inserts folder pockets (she cuts up those simple school folders to make these pockets) for coupons, stamps, and any other paperwork that seems to always accumulate in our organizers.


This planner is the perfect purse size, not too small and certainly not too big. If you're interested in purchasing one, Leslie will have a booth at the local Christmas Bazaar in October or you can email me for her contact information.

It doesn't get any sweeter than this.....

Government approved?

Does anyone agree with me that the female gymnasts on Team China look waaaaaayyyyy younger than the minimum age requirement of 16?

Article online at CNN by SCC

Steven Curtis Chapman has written an online CNN article regarding the biblical call to adopt orphans. Click here to read it.

HT: Challies & Justin Taylor

Muffin Tin Monday

I've joined in the fun and made Luke's first "Muffin Tin Monday Meal" yesterday. He enjoyed the variety and thought it was fun to see his lunch in something different than on his plate.

First Day of School, Pre-K

Yesterday was Andrew's first day back at school. He was very excited about starting K4 and especially ready to begin his day with his new teacher, Mrs. B. He asked me to bake some cinnamon rolls for breakfast, during which he remained shirtless as not to get any glaze on his clothes. I didn't have to purchase any clothes this year because God has blessed us with an abundance of hand-me-downs. I love it!


This second picture was taken just before he walked out the door to head off to school with Dad. My hope is to be able to locate this shirt at the end of the school year and get a picture of him in it to see how much he's grown (thanks for that idea, Melissa!).

We love you, Andrew!

Stranger Danger

The weather was absolutely beautiful today. It was somewhat cool and downright breezy. So, after naptime, I took all three kids outside where we stayed for almost three hours! During this time, we played in our side yard and talked to the neighbor's dogs through her fence. I had already made a mental note that I was the only neighbor at home among the four houses in our circle. I then took quick notice of a small hunter green pickup truck driving into our culdesac (sp?), stopping just in front of my driveway. I see it's a company truck bearing the company's web address and logo (something about a cattle exchange, hence the deep freezer chained in the bed of his truck. That is a scary thought in itself). As I turn to acknowledge the driver with a nod, I see him (and he's a very big man) roll down his window, look me in the eye and loudly ask something in southern English gibberish. I politely say, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand you." I guess he repeats the same thing to which I reply, "Huh?".

At this point I am thinking that he's trying to be funny...but I am not amused.

Next, I watch him unbuckle his seat belt and open his truck door. This is when my body language took a firmer position, I held out my stiffened arm and hand (imagine a traffic cop) and I harden my eyes and tone of voice, saying, "No, no, no, no, no.....you don't need to get out of your car. You will not come over here. Stay in your truck, sir. What is it that you want?".

He replied, "A million dollars", and drove off in a hurry, making sure to spin out at the stop sign.

I think he was insulted that I got defensive - but, come on, man! Are you crazy? Do you not think a mother with three small children, alone on her personal property would just welcome a stranger (especially a large man in a truck carrying a deep freezer, making no sense with his words) to speak to her, uninvited? My first thoughts were for the safety of my children and I promise I would have screamed bloody murder for all the neighborhood to hear if he had taken one foot out of that truck towards us.

Well, Mom, I hope I didn't scare the heebie-jeebies out of you.

My three

Don't all children want to sit in their mommy's lap? Especially all at one time. They were fighting over space but we all held on for dear life.

Lovin' every minute of it.